290 



APETALOUS ORDERS. 



Fig. 211. 



ous, imbricated in sestivation. Stamens 6, inserted into the 

 tube of the perianth ; anthers introrse. Ovary 3-celled ; style 

 single ; stigma 3-lobed or entire, often twisted. Fruit capsular 

 or succulent, 3-celled. Seeds numerous, albuminous ; emlryo 

 minute. (See Plate Y., Fig. 3.) 



a. Properties: fruit more or less acid iii the wild state, but -when cultivated H 

 becomes sweet and higlily aromatic, 

 Gexeua. — Bromelia, Tillaudsia. 



546. II.EMODORACE^, the Blood-root 

 Trihe. — Uerhaceoiis plants with fibrous 

 roots. Leaves equitant, distichous, en- 

 siform, and with the stems and flow- 

 ers more or less woolly. Perianth 

 petaloid, 6-cleft, regular. Stamens 3 or 

 6, inserted on the perianth; anthers 

 introrse. Ovary 3-celled, adherent. 

 Fruit a S-valved capsule. Seeds defi- 

 nite or numerous ; emhryo in cartilagi- 

 nous albumen. 



Genera. — Dilatris, Metris. 



Fig. 211, a, ALETnisfarinosa ; b, tubular perianth; 

 c, the same spread open, showing the stamens. 



• 547. iRiDACEiE, the Iris Tribe. — Herhaceons plants wdth tu- 

 berous or fibrous roots. Zea/ves ses- 

 sile, alternate, equitant, compressed, 

 ensiform. Floioers with spathas. 

 Perianth 6-parted, 3 internal, 3 ex- 

 ternal. Stamens 3. Ovary 3-celled ; 

 style 1 ; stigmas 3, often petaloid. 

 Capside 3-celled, 3-valved, many- 

 seeded. Seeds numerous ; emhryo in- 

 closed in hard albumen. (See Plate 

 VL, Fig. C.) 



Genera. — Sisyrinchium, Iris, Tigridia, Gladio- 

 lus, Ixia, Crocus. 



Fig. 212, diagram of an Iris showing the 6 

 divisions of the perianth ; 6, exterior divisions ; 

 c, interior divisions of tlie colored perianth of 

 Iris r/ermcmica ; d, ripe capsule ; e transverse 

 section of the ovary. 



548. DioscorAce^, the Yam Trihe. 

 — Tici7iing shruhs w^ith large tubers. 

 Leaves alternate, occasionally oppo 

 site, wdth reticulated veins. Flowers 

 inconspicuous, dioecious. Perianth 

 adherent to the ovary, 6-parted in 2 series. Stamens 6. Ovary 

 3-celled ovides 1 or 2 in each cell ; styles and stigmas nearly 



